By Cindy Maciel — Reporter
Haylee Nelson and Latahevai Lousi combined for 63 total kills, as San Jose State (0-2) lost both matches of their season-opening series against Boise State (2-0) this week 3-1.
Match One
The Spartans started Thursday’s game in Belmont, Calif. off strong, winning their first set of the season 25-16. Freshman Mia Schafer had 22 assists and two kills to lead the team to the first set win.
The Broncos galloped to a six point lead early in the second set. Before they reached their 25-point goal SJSU won a contested play where the ball fell out of bounds off Boise State, giving the Spartans a chance to get back in the set.
It wasn’t enough to give SJSU momentum as Boise State won that set and the next one to hand the Spartans their first loss of the season.
Match Two
The Spartans’ second match was home at the Spartan Gym on Friday, looking for a boost with help of the cut-out fans in the stands.
SJSU stayed right behind the Broncos’ tails throughout the first set, but Boise State kept their lead late to take the set.
Nelson was the Spartans’ top scorer with 19 kills in the match. Alongside her was Lousi with 17 kills of her own.
One of the Broncos’ points was lost by a hair — literally — when head coach Shawn Garus contested an attack that was possibly touched by Nelson. The attack by Boise State’s Jessica Donahue sped past the junior, grazing her hair before the ball went out of bounds.
The review lasted a couple minutes and ultimately gave the point to SJSU. With equal amounts of kills for both teams SJSU hung around in set two, but Boise State pulled away late to take the set.
Trying to come back from a 2-0 set deficit, the Spartans took set three 25-21. A nail biting set four saw SJSU come back from a 24-15 deficit to bring them within a point before the Broncos won the final point of the match to seal their 3-1 win.
Lousi was the star, charting a double-double during the second match with 13 kills and 10 digs for the Spartans.
After a tough season opener, SJSU will continue on the road for the next four matches. They will try for redemption in their next two-match series against Air Force Academy starting Feb. 12 in Colorado.
Follow Cindy on Twitter @CindyMaciel20
